The Lemon Index
2014
20164th generation
32 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2015 Lincoln Navigator2015 Lincoln MKX 312015 Audi Q7
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 15,000 and 88,000 miles (24,000–142,000 km) (the middle half of the 29 complaints, of all 32 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K miles (97K km) Right in the range where most owners reported problems.
- At 100K and 150K miles (161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V329000 (airbags), 26V289000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 19V645000 (brakes) done? It has 9 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Cadillac sent dealers 2518 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Cadillac's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 32 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 15K to 88K miles (24K to 142K km) on the car (29 of all 32 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
This is third time I have noticed a solid rock hard brake pedal feel and the vehicle did not appear to slow when I was trying to apply the brakes.
2015 Cadillac Escalade owner · NHTSA complaint 11156909
More owner reports
Vehicle had an open flame in rear hatch locking mechanism. I have a video too.
NHTSA complaint 11156479
I have experience several times when I went back to get in my vehicle an it wouldn't start. I have an appointment to take it to the dealership next week. Iu am so upset with gmc.
NHTSA complaint 11052051
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 2518 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts
- 8-speed Transmission Harsh Shift
- OnStar Module Battery Drain
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 9
- Airbags · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
- Brakes · recall issued 2019
The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Show all 9 recalls
- Steering · recall issued 2018
Electric power steering (EPS) assist may be lost momentarily, followed by a sudden return of EPS assist.
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test.
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
The passenger side instrument panel top cover on the affected vehicles may have been manufactured using an incorrect spacer fabric, causing a reduction of adhesion between the spacer fabric and the vinyl show surface.
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the air bag module is secured to a chute adhered to the backside of the instrument panel with an insufficiently heated infrared weld.
- Engine · recall issued 2014 4.3L engines only
The overheated exhaust components may melt nearby plastic parts and may result in an engine fire.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Cadillac Escalade recall, all years · All Cadillac recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake vacuum pump failure2018–2022
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac Escalade SUV RWD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cadillac Escalade SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV RWD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cadillac Escalade ESV SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,550–$3,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 6.2L 8-cyl.
Every Cadillac Escalade year. 2015 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2015 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-escalade/?y=2015" title="Cadillac Escalade reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="652" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/cadillac-escalade/2015/">Lemon Index</a> (2015 Cadillac Escalade reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2015 Cadillac Escalade reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 91; 100 is average, lower is better). The Cadillac Escalade year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2015 Cadillac Escalade problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (25%), brakes (19%) and transmission & drivetrain (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2015 Cadillac Escalade have?
9 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Cadillac Escalade get?
16 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2015 Cadillac Escalade problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 15,000 and 88,000 miles (24,000–142,000 km) (the middle half of the 29 complaints, of all 32 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K miles, a 2015 is right in the range where most owners reported problems. At 100K and 150K miles, a 2015 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2015 Cadillac Escalade have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2015 Cadillac Escalade cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2015 Cadillac Escalade have?
6.2L 8-cyl.
What Cadillac Escalade year is better than the 2015?
Nearby, the 2018 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2011 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works